What's wrong with my plasma???

6BangBronk

6BangBronk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Location
Durham
I've became too dependant on this thing for it to go. Got too many projects waiting now so I must devote all my attention on fixing it.

Snap-On YA-2230.

Gage is registering 80# from my compressor.
Ran good for years?
Replaced electrode / cutting nozzle with new ones. (In which I've had to do before on regular basis depending on large amount of use). Usually goes for a few days all day long before needing a new set.
Replaced the grounding clamp with a new one when I first got this piece of equipment and the wires look excellent.
Even replaced the shield cap.

It sparks like it used to when the air was too low. Kinda like a small spark and then nothing. Air is flowing well?

Any help would be appreciated...
 
Call 1800 abcweld. Ask for Milt..... only goofy thing is they close at 3pm eastern time. He will trouble shoot it and give u some part numbers
 
catfishblues said:
Check your spark gap. You may have lost the high frequency board, though.
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What gun is on the machine? is it a max 42/43 or a century unit? Try taking the two halves of the gun apart and make sure the wires haven't come unpluged or damaged at the safety switch on the head. Check all the connections while you're in there. I have a 50 amp version of that machine with the hypertherm gun and have had similar issues where the wires come apart just enough to arc and then nothing. That machine should be made by century so in your searching for fixes keep that in mind. There are probably a lot more of the century versions floating around than the snap on branded one.
 
Also clean the face in the gun where the electrode contacts. Look for arc marks. It should be a smooth shiny finish.
 
Wires look excellent. Probably first time ever opened up. cleaned the gun for what it's worth. Debated using something like a degreaser or alcohol but didn't know if OK? I've googled images and STILL couldn't tell you which gun I have?

Where's the spark plug, inside the unit itself?

It will spark just enough to leave a divit trail on a sheet of tin. Maybe punching a hole every now and then. Consistent spark though.
 
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